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| Shock absorbing aid for human body |
| The present invention was conceived in view of the above problems. It is therefore the object of ... |
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| Waist protection member |
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| Device for protecting a pedestrian |
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| Indicator layout on an auto-darkening lens for use in welding |
| I claim: 1. An indicator system for a head mountable apparatus, comprising a number of indicators, ... |
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| Sample container with radiofrequency identifier tag |
| OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a is a front perspective showing a RFID tag 20 affixed to a sample container ... |
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| Vehicle proximity sensor |
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| Shipping container along with shipping method employing the same |
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| Wireless ad-hoc RFID tracking system |
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| Dangerous area alarm system |
| OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained ... |
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Apparatus and method for discerning certain occupant characteristics using a plurality of capacitive sensors
| Details |
Inventors: Steffens, Jr., Charles E.; Blackburn, Brian K.; Mazur, Joseph E.;
Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. /TRW Inc. (Lyndhurst, OH)
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Brian L.
Assistant Examiner: Fleming; Faye M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
An apparatus (47) determines presence, type, and a size value of a vehicle occupant (14) located within a vehicle (12). A first capacitive sensor (46A) is located on a first side of an occupant location within the vehicle (12) and senses a first capacitance value. An associated drive/monitor circuit (42A) provides a first signal (44A) indicative of the first capacitance value. A controller (27) determines from the first signal (44A) whether the first capacitance value is indicative of an occupant located proximate to the first capacitive sensor (46A). The controller (27) determines a first distance between the first capacitive sensor (46A) and the occupant (14) using the first signal (44A). A second capacitive sensor (46C) is located on a second side of the occupant location and senses a second capacitance value. An associated drive/monitor circuit (42C) provides a second signal (44C) indicative of the second capacitance value. The controller (27) determines from the second signal (44C) whether the second capacitance value is indicative of an occupant located proximate to the second capacitive sensor (46C). The controller (27) determines a second distance between the second capacitive sensor (46C) and the occupant using the second signal (44C). The controller (27) determines from at least one of the first and second signals (44A and 44C) whether the occupant type is a child in a child seat. The controller (27) determines a size value of the occupant using the first and second determined distances. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides an apparatus for determining at least one of presence, type, and size value of a vehicle occupant located within a vehicle.
First capacitive sensor means, located on an instrument panel of the vehicle that is on a first side of an occupant seating location within the vehicle, senses a first capacitance value and provides a first signal indicative of the first value.
A means determines from the first signal whether the first capacitance value is indicative of an occupant located proximate to the first capacitive sensor means.
A means determines a first distance between the first sensor means and the proximately located occupant using the first signal.
Second capacitive sensor means, located on a second side of the occupant seating location, senses a second capacitance value and provides a second signal indicative of the second value.
A means determines from the second signal whether the second capacitance value is indicative of the occupant located proximate to the second capacitive sensor means.
A means determines a second distance between the second sensor means and the proximately located occupant using the second signal.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for determining an empty vehicle seat.
First capacitive sensor means, located on a first side of an occupant seating position, senses a first capacitance value and provides a first signal indicative of the first capacitance value.
A means determines whether the seat is empty using the first signal.
Second capacitive sensor means, located on a second side of the occupant seating position, senses a second capacitance value and provides a second signal indicative of the second capacitance value.
A means determines whether the seat is empty using the second signal.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for determining occupant characteristics of a vehicle occupant.
First capacitive sensor means, located on a first side of an occupant seating location, senses a first capacitance value resulting from the occupant and provides a first signal indicative of the first value
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Communications 
